Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin on HBO last night said some NFL owners "have taken a stand and told their players" not to protest during games. Baldwin said, "Specifically regarding the National Anthem, the protests, the one quote that I was informed of was, ‘You’re going to stand on the line with your hand on your heart and you’re going to sing the National Anthem because this is my stage’" (“Any Given Wednesday,” HBO, 10/5).

 See THE DAILY for more from Baldwin's conversation with HBO's Bill Simmons.

The Univ. of Miami has said that Saturday's game against Florida State "was still set to be played" at Hard Rock Stadium amid the threat of Hurricane Matthew (MIAMI HERALD, 10/6). The Univ. of South Carolina said its home game against Georgia "will be played in Columbia." However, there is "discussion about playing the game on Sunday or even Monday" instead of Saturday, "or changing the time" (MYAJC.com, 10/5). The Univ. of Florida "will still host LSU on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium" (MIAMI HERALD, 10/6). 

The Dolphins, who are still slated to host the Titans on Sunday, said that there have been "no discussions about moving" the 1:00pm ET game from Hard Rock Stadium (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 10/5). Meanwhile, ISC "has postponed its financial results call for this morning due to Hurricane Matthew." No new date was announced (TWITTER.com, 10/6). The WASHINGTON TIMES goes with the header, "Hurricane Matthew Shaking Up Sports Docket."

The Univ. of Missouri System Board of Curators at meetings today and tomorrow will be presented with MU's "master plan for athletics facilities, including the new football facility planned for the south of Memorial Stadium." The proposed additions include the team space, a new indoor practice facility and "new video boards in the south end zone." Missouri AD Jim Sterk hopes to "formally propose the facility plan" in early '17. He has estimated the south end zone facility will cost about $75M (STLTODAY.com, 10/4).

The Blue Jays-Rangers ALDS begins this afternoon at 3:30pm CT, and the Rangers have seen secondary ticket prices "plummet" for Games 1 and 2 after "early afternoon first-pitch times were announced Monday." On Sunday, the median listing price for today's game on SeatGeek.com was $126. As of yesterday morning, that number was down 38.9% to $77. The "get-in price" fell from $43 to $19 (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 10/6).

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval yesterday "summoned Nevada lawmakers to Carson City early next week for a special legislative session to consider financing for a 65,000-seat football stadium and convention center expansion in Las Vegas." The meeting will commence at 8:00am PT. Topping the agenda will be a measure to "raise Clark County room taxes" to finance $750M of a proposed $1.9B domed stadium in Las Vegas. Included in that bill will be "an additional room tax hike" to help fund $1.4B to "expand and improve the Las Vegas Convention Center" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 10/6).

Meanwhile, high-ranking city staff made a presentation at yesterday’s City Council meeting "on options for downtown’s Cashman Center, which didn’t make the shortlist of sites" for the proposed NFL stadium. Council member Bob Coffin called an option that included an NFL practice facility and an MLS stadium with office and training space "more realistic" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 10/6).

Alliance MMA today becomes the "first mixed martial arts company to be listed on a U.S. exchange," appearing in the NASDAQ. The N.Y.-based company in its SEC filing said that it "will use the proceeds to roll up 15 to 20 regional MMA organizations that will serve as a super minor league, of sorts, that hopes to funnel fights into the UFC." Alliance hopes to net $10M, excluding fees. Its shares are priced at $4.50, and it will open trading with a $40M market cap (N.Y. POST, 10/6).

Zimbabwe Olympic world-record swimmer Kirsty Coventry, Special Olympics Chair Tim Shriver and Homeless World Cup Founder Mel Young are among the featured speakers this morning on the opening day of the inaugural Sport at the Service of Humanity conference at The Vatican. This afternoon's speakers include Right To Play Founder Johann Olav Koss, IOC member from Jordan Prince Feisal Al Hussein, Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis and IOC member & Reliance Foundation Founder & Chair Nita Ambani.

The 200-plus delegates will split into working breakout sessions both in the morning and afternoon, where they will discuss topics in sport including "Women," "Intellectual and Development Disabilities," "Government Service," "Private Sector" and "International Organizations." BBC World journalist and anchor David Eades serves as the day's host and facilitator (THE DAILY).

The '16 NeuLion Sports Media & Technology Conference continues today in Manhattan Beach, Calif., with panel discussions on "The Digital Play: The Creation, Distribution and Monetization in a Multiplatform World" and "A Spectator No More: Changing Sports Through Immersive Experiences," as well as a presentation from Qualcomm Senior VP Dan Novak on "The Internet Of Things." The event then transitions to the E-Sports Forum, which includes sessions on the sport's rapid growth to date, its future outlook and the possible need for more governance and oversight.

Read the full agenda, and see today's issue of THE DAILY for recaps of yesterday's sessions.

At the '16 Symposium, Tecate VP/Marketing Felix Palau will discuss how the beer brand rapidly grew its U.S. market share by focusing heavily on bicultural Hispanics and their two biggest sports passions – boxing and soccer. For more information and to register for the Symposium, visit www.SportsMarketingSymposium.com.

Motorsport Network, the Miami-based publisher of Motorsport.com and Motor1.com, today announced the acquisition of six business operations that make up the Haymarket Media Group’s interests in motorsport publishing, photography and events, including Autosport.com and F1 Racing magazine (Motorsport).

Texans CB Charles James' "collection of six hats and six coordinating socks designs" will be sold today at the Go Texan Store in NRG Stadium. James "helped design the hats by New Era and socks by For Bare Feet" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/6).

The Capitals "defeated the Blues 4-2 in front of 11,781 fans" last night at K.C.'s Sprint Center in a preseason game (K.C. STAR, 10/6).

"The ITF didn’t put up a 'No Left Turn.' A sign wasn’t even there; it wasn’t even behind a tree. It was complete false advertisement. It was like it was written on a second-grade piece of paper, folded up and glued to a tree" – Maria Sharapova, on how the Int'l Tennis Federation communicated its ban on meldonium (N.Y. TIMES, 10/6).

"The biggest thing that we’re trying to do now is figure out what technology’s role is in distributing the great content that we have" – Disney Chair & CEO Bob Iger (N.Y. POST, 10/6).

"We’re going to send a tape out in the next week or so and clarify some of these things. But the key is if it’s a gesture that either mimics a violent act – that’s something with a firearm or a bow and arrow – or a sexually suggestive act, those are unsportsmanlike conduct" – NFL VP/Officiating Dean Blandino, on how the league will communicate to players which celebrations will result in a penalty (WASHINGTON POST, 10/6).

"Athletics is a difficult place to make political statements. ... But we're in a time where there isn't any place where these issues can be excluded. I admire Kaepernick, but it's a very difficult field to be outspoken in" – Bruce Springsteen, on 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick's National Anthem protest (ROLLING STONE, 10/20 issue).

BLEACHER REPORT notes when it comes to NFL players' opinions on Donald Trump, "scenes of a divided America sparked by the candidate have been replicated inside at least a half-dozen locker rooms." An informal survey of 43 players shows that black and white players see the upcoming election very differently.

ESPNW wrote the NWSL Portland Thorns represent a "success story unlike any in women's professional team sports," one that is "tempting to believe can be more how-to manual than fairytale."

Also: 

• HOFer Ronnie Lott is "more than a cheerleader" in Oakland's stadium push.
• Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union are "confronting their legacies and impact."
• Blend of alcohol, excitement makes fan violence at games "arguably intractable."

BREAKING: NJ sports betting decision appealed to US Supreme Court by NJ Thoroughbred Racing Association; petition filed last week.

— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) October 6, 2016

The bad headlines keep coming at Baylor. So do the wins. How dicey could this get for the CFP selection committee? https://t.co/Fofx5UTsOM

— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) October 6, 2016

Robo umps now!

— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) October 6, 2016

Harbaugh on @JamieandStoney "if everybody did 10 (camps) that would be phenomenal for the youngsters...youngsters want to play football"

— angelique (@chengelis) October 6, 2016

The Penguins will visit the White House to celebrate their '16 Stanley Cup championship. President Obama is expected to address the progress of the sports greening movement to date, highlighting a fact sheet on the combined commitments collected by the Obama administration following its call to action.

The Broadway Bridge in K.C. will be renamed the John Jordan "Buck" O’Neil Memorial Bridge to honor the late Negro League player and manager at a 10:00am CT ceremony. The dedication is occurring on the 10th anniversary of his death.

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “The Economy.”

“'Systemically important financial institution' is an official status known more informally by these four words.”

Skier Lindsey Vonn appeared on CBS’ “The Late Show” last night to promote her new book, “Strong is the New Beautiful.” Host Stephen Colbert digitally changed the background behind the set to a snowy winter day to make Vonn more comfortable, but she said, “Except I hate the cold.” Colbert replied, “You hate the cold? You came to the wrong studio.” Colbert named all four of the events Vonn competes in – slalom, giant slalom, downhill and Super G – and she responded, “I’m in shock that you know all those things.” Vonn noted she can reach up to 90mph when racing but said she “tries not to think” during a race. Vonn: “Usually thinking gets in the way of performing.” Colbert: “You have to think a little bit, because you wrote a book. This involves some thinking.” Vonn: “I mean, I can think.” Colbert said of the title of her book, “That is weak-shaming the rest of us who aren’t as strong as you are.” Vonn: “Strong is beautiful, being athletic and confident in yourself is what makes someone beautiful. You don’t have to be model thin to be beautiful” (“The Late Show,” CBS, 10/5).

Last night’s edition of NBC’s “The Tonight Show” featured the recurring segment “Tonight Show Superlatives.” Host Jimmy Fallon gave out awards to members of the Packers and Giants ahead of their matchup on NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 10/5).

“What is 'too big to fail'?”